1. What inspired you to go to your first rowing practice; was there anything memorable about it?
I was in the gym one day at the Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS). I was on scholarship for track and field (hurdles) and rehabbing from a pretty nasty foot injury. The nature of the injury was that one of the few activities I could do was rowing on the ergo. Anyway, I watched the real rowers do their thing a couple of times on the machine and decided to give it a crack. I hadn't quite mastered the art of the Concept II screen setting, and could only work out how to set the distance to 2km. So I would rock up to training, set the screen to 2km, the drag to 10 (that's what tough people do, right?) and away I'd go.
The head rowing coach at the time either thought I might have potential, or it would be a hoot to watch me try to row (probably the latter) and invited me down to the Yarra river to go for a paddle. I rowed arms only with gusto- it hadn't occurred to me that the moving seat thing was actually meant to move. Anyway, turns out the VIS had just conducted a Talent search, and were starting a learn to row program the following month. They were sufficiently amused by my misplaced enthusiasm that they offered me a spot in the program, despite weighing about 60kg and having the upper body strength of a flea.
We learnt to row in an 8+, and while I wasn't a natural technician, I found some great friends and enjoyed the new challenge.
2. Was there a practice, race or other event when you fell in love with the sport, or when you knew you might not be too bad at rowing? When you thought you could make the national team?
My first Head of the Yarra regatta was a real turning point for me. I had taken to sweep rowing much better than sculling, and absolutely loved rowing the eight. The passion, energy and camaraderie was something really special. I found myself in the bow seat of the Melbourne University eight. I think I was more nervous than I've ever been in my life before that race- the bow seat has a pretty critical job of pulling the boat around some pretty nasty bends. I don't think I did a great job- and we lost by a mile- but the enormity and excitement of the event was something I cherished (and still cherish) that inspired me to improve.
I made my first national team (in the women's eight) about 6 months after first picking up an oar. I'm not too sure how it happened, really. I had been nominated for selection for the U23 team, and they held the U23 trials in conjunction with the Senior A trials. I was rowing a pair with a girl called Phoebe Stanley, who is now stroking the Australian eight. If there's something about Phoebe nobody could deny, it's that she is one hell of a racer. I'm not too sure how she put up with me and my erratic bladework, but we certainly put everything out there in our races. We ended up doing well enough in our pairs racing to make it to the seat racing stage, then somehow after seat racing in fours I found myself in the five seat of the Australian eight. It was a pretty steep learning curve.
3. Best race/practice, worst race/practice?
Most memorable race would have to be my 2nd Head of the Yarra, where my crew pulled out the race of our lives to beat our favoured rivals (they had 5 Australian team members in their boat). It really taught me that cohesion, belief and camaraderie trumps all else. Oh, and some awesome coxing always helps too!
My favourite session is anything that makes you go "ouch." My least favourite session is... I don't think I have one! I enjoy the challenge of learning from whatever the workout might be, on or off the water.
4. Best/Anything you've done in the sport no one knows about?
My first proper regatta was the Australian University Games. I was racing in the bow seat of the coxed four. We finished 2nd and I thought I'd absolutely nailed it. When we pulled in to the dock, I was commended on my "interesting" rowing technique. I was a little perplexed, but didn't think much of it. Later, I found out that I had rowed square blades the entire race.
5. Any/Most important advice for young rowers?
Embrace criticism. Be open to learn. Everyone can always improve, never assume you're too good for feedback. And have fun.
Birthplace: Melbourne, AUS
Club Affiliation: Melbourne University Boat Club
Date of Birth: 8/9/85
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 160
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